Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics.This week’s Tuesday Topic: What are your tips for running in the rain, cold, or hot weather? You can write about any running related topic. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post!
Raise your hand if you’ve ever come across any of these running scenarios:
– Running in a rainstorm?
– Running in 80+ degree heat + 100% humidity (aka Hell)?
– Running in a “real feel” of below zero?
Running in extreme or bad weather conditions is never ideal, but here are a few tips for dealing with running in the rain, heat or cold weather.
Running in the Rain
A hat is your best friend – Since it would be awkward to run with an umbrella, wearing a hat is the next best thing. It won’t necessarily keep your hair dry but it will keep the raindrops from falling in your eyes and blurring your vision.
Don’t overdress – I might be in the minority here, but I actually don’t like to wear windbreakers for running in the rain. I always overheat when I wear them and I hate how they stick to my skin. If you can, avoid throwing on layers for rainy runs.
Bring a change of socks – If you have the chance to run by your house or car at some point during your run, it would be good to switch out your socks. This can help prevent blisters and also, running in squishy wet socks is never any fun!
Running in Hot Weather
Rock Your Hats and Sunglasses – You’ll never catch me running outside in the summer without a hat or a visor (usually a visor). Having a cool head can you make you feel more comfortable during a run. Hats and sunglasses also help block the sun from your eyes and stop sweat from dripping into your eyes as well.
Freeze Your Handheld – Even if it’s just a “short run” you should always bring water with you when running in the heat. A few years ago I started freezing my handheld water bottle and it made a huge difference! The night before your run fill your handheld halfway with water and whatever electrolyte replacement you use (Vega, Tailwind, Nuun, etc). Throw in 2-3 ice cubes and place the handheld in the freezer. Then the next day, right before your run, fill the rest of your handheld with cold water. As you run, the ice will thaw and keep your liquid cool for at least an hour. Having ice cold liquid helps to cool you down on the run.
Chew Gum – This one may seem a bit weird, but it works for me. I find that chewing gum (peppermint, spearmint) makes me feel just a little bit cooler on my runs. I also like the mint flavored RunGum because it tastes good and gives you a little kick of caffeine.
Running in the Cold
As you know, running in cold weather is my jam!
Invest in base layers – This is probably my most important tip for running in cold weather. Having good base layers – both tops and bottoms – will help your body stay warm, especially when running if it’s cold AND windy.
Protect your head and hands – I’ve found that as long as my head and hands are covered and warm, the rest of my body will follow. I usually wear gloves as mittens feel too restrictive and on my head I’ll either wear an ear warmer or a beanie.
…Or you can avoid the weather
Of course, you can avoid the crazy weather all together and run on the treadmill. I know that the treadmill isn’t for everyone, but if you don’t mind it, it can come in handy when you just don’t feel like dealing with all the weather craziness!
Tell me: What are your tips for running in the rain, cold, or hot weather?
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Topic for next week – Do you run when you’re sick? Feel free to write about this or any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!
I don’t mind running in the rain and you know I like running in the cold. But running in the heat is not my thing at all. I usually run by heart rate as a way to judge my effort and to make me slow down. Carrying water helps too. Running early in the morning and in the shade aka the woods , is a game changer!
1005 yes to running early in the mornings. I feel like that’s the main way to survive summer running, especially on the super humid days.
I think having realistic expectations is key. No matter the temps or weather conditions, extreme cold or heat will alter your body’s ability to perform at its peak level, and not expecting “fast” results or finish times will make the experience less of a challenge. I’m all about wearing a hat on a rainy day, too!
Very true. It was also such a blow to my ego when my paces would tank during training in the summer but then I just accepted that slowing down was normal.
I don’t mind running in the rain especially in the summertime. I would so much rather run in freezing temps than hot temps. I am still acclimating to the summer humidity. The hats seem to make me feel hotter but I know they are good for my skin. Ugh dilemmas!
Yup – same here! I know summer and I have a hate/hate relationship, especially summer running, lol.
Great tips Kim! I might have a jacket on if it’s cold rain — but not a rain jacket — those’ll heat you up fast!
My body doesn’t follow if the head & hands are warm in Winter, LOL! I don’t do well in either extreme, although I run in all kinds of weather (sometimes). Wool running clothes was a real game changer for me in Winter! They help wick the sweat away (and yes, I sweat in Winter) so much better & dry so quickly. What I have (from Skirt Sports) isn’t at all itchy, it’s not 100% wool but it works).
Yes! It’s always amazing to me how much those rain jackets trap in heat. I did do a race with a rain jacket when it was 35 degrees and raining and that was pretty miserable, lol.
I have a pair of long wool running socks that have been super helpful for those 10 degree and below days.
Just do it is my motto.
All good tips.
I’ll have to try the gum
I’d been better in the winter about not over dressing. I gave up on jackets and wore multiple skirts. So much more comfortable. If I sweat under all those layers I feel colder after.
Lately it’s been too cold and rainy or too hot and humid. I’d like some middle ground.
Just do it is probably the best motto when it comes to summer running, lol. It sucks but we just have to power through it.
These are great tips, Kim, especially the one with the ice cubes in the handheld! Such a good idea!
Personally, I don’t mind the heat but I HATE the cold. You are right about the body following the hands and head, but my hands are instantly frozen in cold weather. Maybe I’m using the wrong sort of gloves.
It took me a while to find the right pair of gloves for Winter running. Have you ever tried using handwarmers inside of your gloves? I know that has worked for a few of my running friends.
I think running in the rain can be tricky. A hat is a must. I wore my cycling rain jacket for a trail run when it rained the whole race but it was cold too so I didn’t overheat.
I never heard of chewing gum to feel cooler bug I’m willing to try anything when it gets hot. Great tips Kim!
I hate running in the rain because I’m always afraid I might slip on the wet pavement or step right into a puddle.
Chewing gum felt a little odd at first but it made me feel cooler for some reason so i kept doing it for my summer runs.
Great tips Kim! In Minnesota, we experience all the fun weather extremes. Obviously I’m nervous now in the winter after breaking my leg, but its the heat/humidity that affect my performance the most.
I like the idea of freezing your handheld! And yes, don’t be afraid to take it to the treadmill 🙂
i knew you would agree with me about the treadmill 🙂
Great tips. I don’t mind to run under the rain and if the rain is not heavy I enjoy it.
I hate the hot weather, in summer I make my workouts in early morning and, as you wrote, just in case, I wear hat and sunglasses.
Here it’s never too cold but I had this experience in Scotland and Sweden.
A light rainstorm can feel good, especially if it’s kind of warm outside!
I just recently learned the trick of freezing my water bottle, and it makes a huge difference! Sipping on cold water is so much more satisfying. I’ve never heard the gum chewing one though! I’ll have to try that out.
I’m with you on the rainy tips- a visor to keep the rain out of your eyes, and don’t overdress. Having a lot of cold, wet clothes next to your skin doesn’t help anything!
Nothing to say about the cold weather tips- I live in Florida! I don’t know how you Northerners do it.
Right?! There’s nothing more refreshing to me than ice cold water during a hot and sweaty run so I love that doing this trick keeps the water colder.
I agree with you that it’s so hard to run with wet heavy clothes – yuck!
Great tips Kim and some very unique! I’ve never heard of the chewing gum one! For running in the rain, the best one is wearing a cap – your hair still gets wet as you say but at least you don’t get drops in your eyes. I experienced this when I was caught in a thunderstorm. Have never been so grateful for my visor!
It only gets cold here for a couple of months so I’ve never invested in gloves – but what works is socks over my hands if it’s really bad which I remove after a couple of kms.
Wearing socks over your hands is a neat trick – I never thought to do that!
Great tips! I forgot to mention freezing your handheld. Whenever I use my hydration vest I fill half of it with water and then freeze it. The next morning I add more water. I have very cold water on my runs and it is the best thing!
Nothing better than ice cold water on a run!